Cuomo's Tax Cap Could Severely Impact Sayville Schools

Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo campaigned on a platform of cutting taxes and said that he will work to cap property taxes at two percent of the rate of inflation – which ever is lowest. The cap would apply to all school districts and local governments, including fire and special districts.

A reduction in state spending coupled with a tax cap is the Sayville School District and their ability to raise the necessary funds to pay for programming, school officials said.

Sayville Superintendent said that the possible tax cap could have great impact on his district. "Last year our spending increase on the budget was 1.8 percent while that equated to a 5.9 percent projected tax increase because of lost state aid," he said. "If we have a tax cap of two percent and a continued loss in revenue from the state, as has recommended, our program will be impacted severely."

Schartner suggested that possible impacts could include the reduction of clubs and activities, middle school sports, an increase in class size, cutting full-day kindergarten and cuts to high school electives including advanced placement courses and the gifted and talented program. "This might not be enough. Our budget next year will be lower than this year. This will equate to the reduction of about 60 positions districtwide," said Schartner.

In an attempt to save money to be used for next year, the Sayville School District is as of Dec. 1. "We will only make essential purchases for existing programs," said Schartner. "The board of education, the New York State School Boards Association, the superintendents through the New York State Council of School Superintendents, the Building Administrators through School Administrators Association of New York and the Teachers through NYSUT are all working to educate the politicians on the devastating affect of a tax cap."

During his campaign, Cuomo said that New York was number one in spending in regard to education but 40th in terms of performance.

"Sayville Schools are not part of the low performing schools Gov.-elect Cuomo references. We continue to outperform schools nationally and locally in academics, the arts and athletics," said Schartner. "It is a shame that the state and federal governments feel they need to lump all public schools together, regardless of the student performance."

Cuomo's plan also includes preserving local control. "The plan empowers residents to go over the cap with a 60 percent majority vote when they believe it is in the best interest of the community. For schools, this would be part of their regular budget voting process and for other municipalities and special districts, a referendum would be required," his website states.

In regard to controlling unfunded mandates, which typically plague school districts at budget time, Cuomo said his plan addresses this issue as well. According to his website, Cuom has proposed a comprehensive plan to review all current state mandates and to stop unfunded mandates in the future. "(Cuomo) will ensure that local communities and school districts have the power to ensure the taxes they collect can be spent in the classroom and on vital services," his website states.

, R-Shirley, said that the taxpayers need relief and unfunded mandates need to be reviewed. "The two percent tax cap needs to be coupled with other legislation," Zeldin said. "This cap can hurt us if not done the right way."

Schartner encourages the Sayville community to contact the Governor's office, local state senators and representatives in the state assembly to voice their concerns regarding the tax cap.